Artemisia finds herself bored and isolated in France as the secretary to the English ambassador. Restricted to the opulent and overly-extravagant Beauxbatons Palace, she makes the acquaintance of a strange, young philosopher/lawyer destined to change her life.

Artemisia attends the salon of Madame Crevecoeur and is introduced to the Enlightenment by way of the writings of Rousseau. Meanwhile, Maximilien Rondelet proves his oratory prowess with a fiery speech of his own.

Artemisia continues to pursue her beloved Rondelet, eschewing the misguided advice of Madame Crevecouer for her own instincts. Engaging in a philosophical debate on the nature of love, she challenges Maxime to accept her offer to become her lover.

Artemisia accompanies Maxime to Paris and witnesses first-hand the utter destitution of the populace. Despite feeling sympathetic to their plight, she is troubled by Maxime’s stern sentiments of change.

Artemisia meets Maxime’s friend, Philippe Delmas, a man with a taste for revolution and an illegal printing press hidden in his flat. Later on, Maxime intentionally breaks the Statue of Secrecy to help a Muggle, leading Artemisia to question his radical opinions.

Ambassador Honorius expresses his concerns over unrest in England’s North American colonies, while Artemisia is forced to consider her opinion of the coming conflict. And at last, the unstable peace is shattered one April morning in the small Massachusetts town of Lexington, when the shot heard round the world signals the start of a revolution.

In the fall of 1777, Captain Farrell and Artemisia attend Dick Hart's wedding. Farrell finds himself in the unfortunate position of being in love with a woman who won't commit and finds his trust in Artemisia shaken when he receives a letter of her's from a Maximilian Rondelet.